Gazing up at the Wasserturm, one might not immediately grasp its historical importance. It is more than just a tower. It’s a monument to Chemnitz’s industrial past and a testament to innovative engineering.
This Wasserturm before you played a crucial role in the city’s water supply. Wassertürme are key structures in water supply systems. They hold a high tank for storing drinking or service water. This ensures sufficient and even pressure in the connected water network.
Let’s dive a bit deeper. The Wasserturm’s function relies on a simple yet effective principle: gravity. The water supply to buildings connected to the network uses hydrostatic pressure. The elevated tank acts as a reservoir, compensating for fluctuations in water demand. It refills regularly to maintain a consistent water level and pressure. Pumps are only needed to fill the tank. All consumers must be lower than the tank. Buildings that are higher need their own pressure boosting system.
Wassertürme have several advantages. They are hydraulically simple and balance pressure variations. They can also supply water without energy input. This reliability is vital for drinking water hygiene. They serve as symbols and advertising platforms. However, constructing a Wasserturm is complex. The water quality in the tank can suffer if not exchanged regularly. Ground-level water storage can replace the storage function of Wassertürme. Regulated pumps in pressure boosting systems can create the necessary pressure. But this requires more technical effort.
Consider the dimensions of these structures. The Schanzenturm in Hamburg once held 4,600 cubic meters. The Wassertürme Herten can hold 9,000 cubic meters. One of the largest is in Roihuvuori near Helsinki, holding 12,600 cubic meters. The Grand Central Water Tower Midrand in South Africa is cone-shaped. It holds 6,500 cubic meters.
Wassertürme vary in appearance. There are massive towers of brick or concrete. Steel skeleton constructions were common in industrial areas. Some Wassertürme even use wood. A unique design is the Aquaglobus developed in Hungary in the 1960s. It features a spherical water tank on a pillar. This design was popular in East Germany. The design must prevent buckling. Symmetrical, especially round, layouts are common.
Early Wassertürme had rectangular tanks. These needed internal tie rods prone to corrosion. Later, round tanks became standard. In 1883, Otto Intze designed a system to address pressure ring expansion. This design became known as the Intze principle. Georg Barkhausen developed a tank with a hemispherical bottom in 1898. August Klönne patented a spherical tank with a conical support in 1898.
Interestingly, the Wasserturm you see here was the first of the Klönne design. It was installed in 1906. The first tank of this type was installed at Chemnitz Außernbahnhof.
Historically, water supply systems served castles and mines. Augsburg was a pioneer in using water art for drinking water in the 15th century. The oldest Wasserturm in Germany was built in Augsburg in 1416.
In the late 19th century, Germany built many Wassertürme. This ensured clean drinking water during urbanization. These waterworks helped prevent epidemics. Without them, industrial cities would have suffered greatly.
There are even residential Wassertürme with apartments in the lower floors. Wassertürme also provided water for steam locomotives. These towers held enough water for large withdrawals. Larger railway Wassertürme could hold about 400 cubic meters. They could supply about ten large locomotives.
Wassertürme can also serve as fire water reservoirs. They provide pressurized water without pumps. They function even during power outages.
Today, Wassertürme are rarely built in technologically advanced areas. They are more expensive and require strict water quality control. However, some are now used for heat storage. They can even cool rocket launch pads. In the USA and France, Wassertürme are more common. They are often painted with city names. In remote areas, diesel generators may power the pumps.
Sadly, Wassertürme have been military targets. They can be used as reference points for weapons. Some have been destroyed in conflicts. Many remaining Wassertürme are now architectural and technical monuments.
Adaptive reuse is an alternative to demolition. Though the original equipment may be lost, the structure can be preserved. Some Wassertürme serve as observation towers or restaurants. Many house broadcasting equipment. Some combine with chimneys. Nature conservationists convert them into habitats for birds and other animals.
Looking at this Wasserturm, remember its vital role. It supplied water and stands as a symbol of innovation. Its story is interwoven with Chemnitz’s progress.